Letters
Learning to serve others
Recently, while selling popcorn as part of our annual fund-raiser, our Cub Scouts also collected school supplies, shoes, and other items for the children in Afghanistan.
During our Halloween-party pack meeting that followed the popcorn sale, families donated more school supply items.
The collection was inspired by the sheriff of Dodge County, Col. Todd Nehls, who had been called to active duty and is currently serving in Afghanistan. His letters in the local newspaper described how children there have very little and he called upon the local citizens to collect shoes, supplies, and other items to help the people of the villages.
Our Cub Scouts wanted to help children of their same age, and we were able to send six packages of pencils, paper, erasers, crayons, markers, glue, shoes, kites, and popcorn to Afghanistan.
The pack committee tries to make such community service projects a learning experiences for all our Cub Scouts. We hope that the boys, by learning about service at a young age, will continue giving of themselves into adulthood.
Bart Radke
Committee Chairman, Pack 3738
Beaver Dam, Wis.
As part of the BSA's Good Turn for America, packs, troops, teams, and crews can enter information about their service projects and service hours on a national Web site, www.goodturnforamerica.org. In February of each year, the BSA will report the total number of service hours and projects to the nation. In addition, councils can generate reports for their areas.
We're proud of those who serve
I received an e-mail from fellow Scouting leader Dan Kirkpatrick, who serves as an assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 119, chartered to the Lions Club in New Virginia, Iowa. While his letter is to fellow members of the Order of the Arrow, I think it applies to all who serve their fellow man:
I am writing this letter from Bagram Air Force Base in northern Afghanistan [where] we are in the center of action for the "War on Terrorism."I am a member of the Iowa Army National Guard and part of 3654th Maintenance Company. We work on every type of ground support equipment.
I really see and believe the United States is making a great difference in the world. The people of Afghanistan understand we are here to help, and they often show their appreciation. This makes me proud to be a member of the greatest country in the world. Believe me, I see it every day.
As I sit here in my tent, I'm thinking about last year's [Order of the Arrow] Fall Fellowship. As an Ordeal member, I was proud to see fellow Arrowmen coming together for a weekend of cheerful service.
That was my first outing since completing my Ordeal during summer camp. Our group cut and split firewood the entire day. It was a lot of work, but I didn' think one day was enough.
I would like to have kept going for several more days. I guess what I'm trying to say is helping out just felt great and being part of the group made me feel even better.
As I looked around me, I believed that I was not the only one who felt this way. As all of you [OA members] are thinking of whether to go or not to go to an Order of the Arrow function, remember why you were chosen by your peers to serve.
They—and we—are all depending on you. And who knows, you might have fun doing it. I know I'll really miss out on the great fellowship of cheerful service this year.
But my country called me to serve and I am proud to be here...
—Dan Kirkpatrick
Ely Brewer
Scout Executive, Mid-Iowa Council
Des Moines, Iowa
March - April 2005 Table of Contents
Copyright © 2005 by the Boy Scouts of America. All rights thereunder reserved; anything appearing in Scouting magazine or on its Web site may not be reprinted either wholly or in part without written permission. Because of freedom given authors, opinions may not reflect official concurrence.